Replacing a tuner on a Furch Accoustic

Jetsam1

I have a replacement tuner arriving hopefully tomorrow (thank you Stageshop, Budapest!) and have to fit it myself. It appears like it should be a fairly straightforward job but the devil, as they say, is often in the detail.

I have never worked on a guitar in this way before. Are there any obvious things I should be aware of before I start? Be carefull being the obvious one!!

Funkfingers

Across its range, Furch/Stonebridge uses several different designs of machine head. The fastenings vary, usually some combination of wood screws on the back of the headstock and a hex nut on the front. (My example has Schaller M6.)

Please post photographs of your tuners.

Jetsam1

I already sent the pics to the dealer and they are sending the correct one. I don't actually use any photo sharing sites so at the moment can't put up any pictures.

It has one single wood screw at the back (bottom of the tuner) and a hex nut at the front. I haven't tried to do anything as yet.....

Funkfingers

If your tuner had Made In Germany embossed into the gear housing, it is a Schaller. Their products tend to be precision engineered in high quality metal. 

I usually begin loosening the hex nut before tackling the lug screw. The correct tool is a socket. It is possible to use a spanner but this brings the possibility of scratching. Similarly, avoid chewing up the screw head cross slot by using a screwdriver that fits well.

Jetsam1

I have lots of sockets and a wide variety of screwdrivers...... Should find something to fit. No stamp other than the F branding so they are not Schallers...

danishbacon

Stage shop are top notch. Would buy from again

Jetsam1

danishbacon said:

Stage shop are top notch. Would buy from again

Sort of my local. When I took a guitar back from a consignment sale no bother at all. Bought two guitars from them, and when the Furch needed a little fettling they just did it no problems. Nice to get real service from a real shop! They only do 2nd hand and high end though....

ICBM

The most important thing if you haven't done this before is not to overtighten the front nut when you do it up again - the parts are made from fairly weak alloy and you can break the collar tube or even worse, separate the threaded section from the tuner body, which is unrepairable.

I don't know an exact torque setting , but they don't need to be a *lot* tighter than to just nip the washer against the headstock - certainly no tighter than light finger pressure on the socket handle. I hold the socket handle with my thumb at the ratchet end and use my pinky to tighten it, that seems to give quite a consistent result.

Jetsam1

ICBM said:

The most important thing if you haven't done this before is not to overtighten the front nut when you do it up again - the parts are made from fairly weak alloy and you can break the collar tube or even worse, separate the threaded section from the tuner body, which is unrepairable.

I don't know an exact torque setting , but they don't need to be a *lot* tighter than to just nip the washer against the headstock - certainly no tighter than light finger pressure on the socket handle. I hold the socket handle with my thumb at the ratchet end and use my pinky to tighten it, that seems to give quite a consistent result.

Very gentle! And don't overtighten. A good rule for life too.